Wolf S&S 121 C.I. X-Wedge

Energy One
Shutt

Shutt

New Member
Bought a new 2009 Big Dog Wolf, and after breakin, put it on the dyno. To my surprise, the 121CI X-Wedge it only put out 79 HP and 97 Torque. My old 117 Evo motor beats the crap out of this! Underwhelmed with the results, I proceeded to make some changes to gain performance. Added the 548 performance cams, Vance & Hines LD exhaust, Adjustable ECM and finally, ported the heads from 87cfm to 134cfm. After all changes, had the ECM tuned by an S&S tech. End results after changes were worse! 74HP and 92 Torque. I love this bike, but struggling with the motor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
K9Anniv

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
Are you sure their meter's calibrated and correct??
The dyno run videos at Biker's Dream website show all the Big Dogs starting out with HP & Torque much higher than your numbers.
I'll bet you dealer's dyno machine is off! :rolleyes:

Here's just one of Biker's Dream dyno run videos...scroll around their site, they have lots of others:
YouTube - bikersdreamatl's Channel

Here's another one:
http://www.youtube.com/user/bikersdreamatl#p/u/21/VOyKrL-wPyc

(ps- you might want to do a better "intro" of yourself before you get spanked by the congregation!)
 
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KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
Of course your HP will be lower than your previous 117. If BD continues to build bikes there numbers will stay low, or go even lower, because they are being forced to meet EPA requirements. HP gains are very difficult to make without a lot of trial and error. I suffered the same fate, slightly worse as the motor build for me ended in a destroyed motor on the Dyno, and I have learned one valuable lesson:
Be happy with what you have if it performs reasonably well and is dependable because once you start tinkering you end up with just that a "Tinker Toy".
Now if you have money then Tinker away but if you have other people doing it for you be prepared to be dissapointed a lot more than pleased.
Now I know some of you have been fortunate and found good mechanics, so this theology doesn't apply to you, but they are few and far between. And unless you get lucky you will spend a lot of money finding the good ones.
Of course the other issue is BD needs to put out a motor that performs to a degree but is reliable because they can't afford all the warranty work. And one of the easiest ways to do that is detune.
 
Shutt

Shutt

New Member
Thanks for the response. The bike has been dyno'ed at two different locations, and numbers mirrored each other. Pretty sure the dyno's are OK.
 
fmschatz

fmschatz

Bullfighter
I was told by Dean at S & S Stock wedge engone is 94hp.

With the larger cams you need the 58MM trottle body. Should raise the HP to about 120 HP with the modifications you have done.

I was planning to make these adjustmants to my 121 wedge very soon.
 
Shutt

Shutt

New Member
Again, thanks for the input!

Not sure what you mean by a better "intro", maybe you can elaborate, as this is new to me.
 
Shutt

Shutt

New Member
Hey Fred:
Thanks for the info.
I forgot to mention that when we posted the heads, we also enlarged the intake manifold to match up with the throttle body size.
In talking with the engineer at S&S, they informed me that they have now developed even better cams for the 121, and will be sending me them soon. I will also inquire about the 58MM throttle body.

Thanks...................Rick
 
Raywood

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
Shutt said:
Again, thanks for the input!

Not sure what you mean by a better "intro", maybe you can elaborate, as this is new to me.
Click to expand...
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/introductions/

Welcome to the site and please enjoy it. I rode the X-wedge last year along side the new bagger with the 111 with Knotso. I know what you mean about the X-wedge! I wrote on here that the 111 was a stronger motor. But nothing that a few dollars won't fix. :D
I go with the new throttle body as FMS recommended.

:cheers:
 
E

Eric

Banned
wow.. yeah the 121 must need some help I think my HDs with just pipes,intake & new ecm computor does that good or better,,,, hope you get it proforming better... I like the wolf.. but been holding back to see how that x wedge works out... wonder if you could order it with the 111 or 117 on it... just sayin bdm needs to build what the customer wants..a fater rear tire wouldnt hurt.. just my thoughts...
 
Shutt

Shutt

New Member
Hey Chris:

Thanks for replying.

Both dynos were Dynojet units, with seasoned operators.

I know we are missing something, just trying to figure out what.

Even have the folks at S&S stumped!

Later..............Rick
 
toadstool

toadstool

Active Member
Rick, I am traveling down the same road as you, and not really liking the scenery. I started out with a 117' motor, added a W6HF 650 cam, W188 springs, Mikuni HSR48 carb, Thunder Heart ignition, Whimmer 90 degree with HPF-1 high flow filter, RB Racing 2:1 exhaust, Custom Nitrous Oxide with purge valve, and finished it off with minor head work..... to go slower. As I scratch my head I am asking the question "How much is too much"?
 
KaptinAmerika

KaptinAmerika

Guru
fmschatz said:
I was told by Dean at S & S Stock wedge engone is 94hp.

With the larger cams you need the 58MM trottle body. Should raise the HP to about 120 HP with the modifications you have done.

I was planning to make these adjustmants to my 121 wedge very soon.
Click to expand...
I think this guy may have answered both of your questions if you haven't performed this operation.
If you beef everything up your going to need to get more fuel and air into that pig, excuse me Dog, aren't you?
 
dnespolo

dnespolo

Active Member
I have a question. I was in process to buy a new 2009 Wolf but a Big Dog dealer in Tampa Bay told me they are not so power like they say, and it seem that you guys confirm that. But also he told me that the 121 X-wedge engine is not reliable. He sold two of them and had problem. one at 5 and the other at 10,000 miles the cam belt snapped and they still waiting for the parts. Any body know about this problems? Anybody has a 2009 or 2010 Wolf and can let me know how they do?
Thanks
denny
 
H

Husker-Wolf

Active Member
I have a 2009 Wolf that has been trouble free, the motor that is, and I've ridden the piss out of it at times. I've hit redline on it quite frequently and many 100+ mph runs. It will do 130mph by the way, if you can hang on to the wobble...LOL. I have about 10K miles on it with no failures. I may have posted this before, but by my seat of the pants I would put it at 120lbs torque and 105HP with intake and pipe mods. As with anything you're going to have failures, but I'm not sure I would classify the motor as inherently faulty yet. I have had ongoing tranny and clutch issues that I think are finally fixed.
 
J

jsmuth

Member
I have an 09 Wolf. 1700 miles on it and the cam shaft snapped. Big Dog checked for time over 6000 rpm(none) the motor is on it's way back to S&S for warranty. I have a crappy feeling I'm going to be bikeless for some time. I suspect there will be more posted failures.
 
dnespolo

dnespolo

Active Member
I finally got my brand new 2009 wolf I love it. What kind of intake and pipe did you put on. And do you really can't pass the 3000 rpm for the first 3000 miles?
 
E

Eric

Banned
I've been wondering how this new design was gona work out.. I've just been watching your post.. hope thay get em all worked out for those that have has issues..
 
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